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Inspired by Maya Angelou’s belief in second chances

You might find it odd that an 65-year-old white man would find a bond with Maya Angelou’s writings. Initially, I wasn’t so enthralled with her measured, countenance of spoken poetry. But I realized that Maya’s life and mine, although lived in separate worlds with separate perceptions of race and life, had similarities.

You might find it odd that an 65-year-old white man would find a bond with Maya Angelou’s writings. Initially, I wasn’t so enthralled with her measured, countenance of spoken poetry. But I realized that Maya’s life and mine, although lived in separate worlds with separate perceptions of race and life, had similarities.

But I lived in my world and Maya lived in hers, both contrasted not by just color, but experience, perceptions, misperceptions and realities. She became successful as an author, poet and actor. I became successful in my own way.

I worked my way out of abject poverty up to a management career, eventually working through my demons, as did Maya, to become a better person, husband, and father and better understand others.

As Maya would say, people should not be forever defined by their circumstances in life or forever by their actions. People do make mistakes and should be forgiven and given a second chance, maybe a third or fourth chance. Compassion goes a long way.

We should all be inspired by the life and works of Maya Angelou. Rest in peace, Maya.